markhansen@ucla.edu

Dr. Mark Hansen is an Assistant Professor in Residence at UCLA’s Graduate School of Education & Information Studies and Faculty Director at UCLA CalKIDS Institute. His research expertise includes advanced quantitative methods, educational assessment, and psychometrics. Dr. Hansen holds a PhD from UCLA, an MPH from Boston University, and has extensively published in journals focusing on methodology in education and public health. He actively mentors graduate students and serves on editorial boards.

nahabedian@seis.ucla.edu

Nayiri Nahabedian played a key role in advancing the policy that led to CalKIDS and now serves as Executive Director of the UCLA CalKIDS Institute, where she continues to champion financial empowerment and opportunity for children and families. An educator, policymaker, and longtime advocate for equity, she dedicated 22 years as a faculty member at Cal State LA’s School of Social Work, mentoring future changemakers and teaching in child welfare, public policy, community practice, and financial social work.

She served 17 years on the Glendale Unified School District Board, including as president, where she championed dual language immersion, career education, financial literacy, mental wellness, and better outcomes for students. Nayiri initiated the Glendale Unified College Success Fund and has dedicated her personal and professional life to expanding opportunities for children and families.

Embracing adventure, Nayiri is a certified scuba diver and has hiked Mount Whitney in 21 hours.

mejia@seis.ucla.edu

Jimmy Mejia is currently the Administrative and Program Support for the CalKIDS Institute. He graduated from San Diego State with a double major in Environmental Sciences and Geography. Prior to working at the Institute, he worked in both public and non-public schools as an Aide and Substitute Teacher with a focus in mathematics instruction to students who face emotional disturbances, at risk, and encounter developmental disabilities. In his leisure time, Jimmy enjoys watching sports and trying out new restaurants.

fzempleni@g.ucla.edu

Flora Zempleni is a PhD Candidate in UCLA’s Department of Education. Her work broadly focuses on language, immigration, and qualitative research methods. She has been a Graduate Student Researcher working with the UCLA CalKIDS Institute’s research team for over a year. She holds an MA in Learning and Communication in Multilingual and Multicultural Contexts from the University of Luxembourg. In her free time, Flora enjoys hiking, reading, and playing and watching soccer.

trichardson@seis.ucla.edu

Tawni Richardson is currently the Outreach Specialist for the UCLA CalKIDS Institute. She holds a BA in Human Development from California State University Long Beach. Before joining the Institute, she assisted in creating financial literacy and CalKIDS training materials for educational development. Tawni’s favorite activities are going to the beach, traveling, and baking.